Robert Hedge

100 mile cycle around Avon

Fundraising for Breakthrough T1D
£13,200
raised of £5,000 target
Donations cannot currently be made to this page
In memory of James Hedge
Breakthrough T1D

Verified by JustGiving

RCN 295716
We fund research into type 1 diabetes to find a cure for type 1 diabetes

Story

Thanks for visiting our JustGiving page. Our group includes me and my son Patrick, Jonny Davis, Adam Barber and his son Oran, Matt Condon and his son Mike, Andrew Serle and his son William along with Nigel Hodges and Ade Pearce.  We are a mixed bag of experienced cyclists and novices, aged 15 to 51.

We will be cycling over 100 miles on a trip around Bristol on 26th August 2017. This epic ride, all in one day, is to raise money for JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation).  JDRF is an organisation which aims to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes and help to eradicate it. 

We are cycling in memory of my eldest son, James.  James died in January 2016 of Diabetic Ketoacidosis following a leakage in the insulin pump he was using.  He had had Type 1 diabetes since the age of 3 and died aged just 18. 

James had an irrepressible smile. He was a kind, gentle, patient, quietly strong and determined young man. He was also a good and loving son, brother and friend. James’ life was tragically cut short during his first year at university, which is devastating for the whole family.

Jonny and I each have other family members living daily with Type 1 diabetes. It is a very trying condition, especially when people do not truly understand what sufferers go through each day. Jonny’s eldest son, Thomas, is 13 and was diagnosed with Type 1 when he was 8. James was a role model to Thomas, offering him guidance especially in the early days of diagnosis.

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic, life-threatening condition which has a lifelong impact on those diagnosed & their families. It happens because the body’s own immune system attacks cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. There are currently 400,000 people in the UK with Type 1 diabetes and more than 29,000 of them are children. Sufferers endure a daily battle trying to balance the body’s sugar levels within a healthy range. They do this through controlling their diets, exercise, insulin injections (or pump monitoring), and regular daily blood testing. The effects of Type 1 diabetes can be both physical and mental, especially if blood sugar levels are too low or too high.

JDRF provides information and support to people with Type 1 diabetes and their families. Their aim is to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes and, ultimately, to eradicate it. They also fund research for new treatments so the everyday lives of those with Type 1 diabetes can be improved.  

The St. Augustine’s community in Downend, Bristol, are dedicating 2017 to raising money for JDRF in memory of James. I'd like to thank all those involved in organising the many events and those taking on difficult personal challenges for sponsorship - it means a huge amount to the whole family.

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About the charity

Breakthrough T1D

Verified by JustGiving

RCN 295716
Breakthrough T1D is the world's leading charitable funder of type 1 diabetes research and raise money to drive world class research. Exciting news: JDRF has now become Breakthrough T1D. View our FAQs to understand more. https://breakthrought1d.org.uk/newbrandfaqs

Donation summary

Total raised
£13,200.00
+ £1,518.92 Gift Aid
Online donations
£7,172.66
Offline donations
£6,027.34

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